Hyperpigmentation | Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin

Skin Hyperpigmentation

An even complexion is always desired. Most don’t realize that effects of daily sun exposure. Regular sunscreen use can help to prevent unwanted discoloration from even occurring. Just remember 90% of all wrinkles, age spots and skin discoloration is due to sun and tanning bed exposure.

“Hyperpigmentation is an abnormal darkening on the skin”, says the experts at Castleknock Cosmetic Clinic Dublin. The cells responsible for hyperpigmentation are located in the top layer of the skin and are called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce a chemical compound called melanin by the action of an enzyme called tyrosinase. Melanin is what makes the skin tan on exposure to the sun.

Over time increased melanin may cause irregular dark spots on the face, back, arms, hands, and legs.

Causes of Hyperpigmentation

Sun damage

Sun’s UV light activated darkening of melanocytes in the skin. It’s no wonder that sun exposure is one of the main causes of hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, sun rays will darken already hyperpigmented areas, as well as give rise to lentigines and keratoses, also known as age spots, sun spots, liver spots and freckles.

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Increase of pigmentation seen in the skin after an injury or inflammation to the skin such as a rash, acne breakouts, scratching, bruising, surgical and/or laser procedures.

Melasma

Darkening of the facial skin, due to a combination of risk factors such as family history, hormones, pregnancy, skin type, and sun exposure.

Medications

Prescription medications such as amiodarone, minocycline, tetracycline, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, antimalarials and others. Hyperpigmentation could be be a side effect of these medication or indeed a combination of two or more medicines.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy causes elevation of various sex hormones and activation of the tyrosine melanin system. Hyperpigmentation of the skin during pregnancy is very common, and is known as the mask of pregnancy.

Aging Process

As we grow older, the skin pigment naturally deepens in colour and become more prominent. Thinning of the skin plays a very important role in the process.

Treatment Options

Photofacial Treatment

Photofacial Laser is remarkable because it has the versatility to treat nearly all skin hyperpigmentation problems safely and effectively, while improving skin tone and texture too. The photofacial laser is gentle enough to treat delicate areas like the full face for a far more aesthetically pleasing effect. Typically treatments are performed in every 3 to 4 weeks and an average of four sessions is needed. Photofacial provides gradual improvement in order to stimulate natural collagen production and carries low risk to patients.

Following an initial diagnostic consultation and skin suitability typing and skin test shot administration, the treatment can begin. Prices Multiple areas of the body can be combined in one session.

Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing

Fractional CO2 Laser resurfacing has become a popular option for patients seeking to enhance the appearance of their skin. Unlike traditional laser resurfacing, where effective results are associated with long periods of downtime, fractional CO2 laser technology offers a short-downtime solution for treating sun damage and skin pigment, as well as improving tone and texture.

The new generation fractional device use ablative wavelengths of 10400 nm also called CO2 Lasers. CO2 Lasers are considered the gold standard for skin resurfacing. The results are far more predictable and the results are certainly dramatic. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia or twilight sedation if desired. One session of fractional CO2 laser is all what’s needed and recovery is just over a few days.

Chemical Peels

A chemical peel is a treatment technique used to improve and smooth the texture and pigmentation of the facial skin using a chemical solution that causes the discoloured skin to slough off and eventually peel off. The regenerated skin is usually smoother and clearer than the old skin. Thus the term chemical peel is derived.

There are several types of chemical peels. Peels differ in the depth of chemical penetration to the skin. The safer and lighter peels carry little or no downtime. However, results are limited to the top layer of the skin. Deeper peels require anaesthesia and sometimes sedation and carry some downtime, however they yield substantial corrective results.

Price Guide

Price Guide

Prices are designed depends on the method of treatment chosen and is based on the size of the area being treated and are calculated per session where applicable. Multiple photofacial and chemical peel treatments are necessary to achieve the best and most permanent results.

The following are an example of the some of the treatment costs. For other areas please contact the clinic.